This study has investigated the phytochemical composition and therapeutic potential of the Red Sea soft coral Sinularia levi. Five compounds (1-5) comprising three glyceryl derivatives, a ceramide, and a diterpene were isolated and characterized. To elucidate their role in metabolic syndrome, an integrated network pharmacology and structure-based modeling workflow was employed. This approach identified 45 shared targets between S. levi metabolites and disease proteins, clustered into inflammatory and metabolic nodes, with α-glucosidase (GAA) emerging as a primary target. Molecular docking against GAA (PDB: 5NN8) identified 1-O-nonacosylglycerol (2) as the most potent ligand (-8.5 kcal mol-1), stabilized by a unique glycerol-head polar clamp involving Glu139 and Lys137. The stability of this complex was confirmed through a 100 ns MD simulation, which demonstrated sustained equilibrium and persistent hydrogen bonding. In vitro assays revealed that the total extract possesses significant antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50 = 18.66 µg mL-1), and the isolated compounds exhibited selective enzyme inhibition. In which, 1-O-nonacosylglycerol (2) proved to be the most effective α-glucosidase inhibitor (IC50 = 326.77 µg mL-1), whereas glyceryl pentacosanoate (5) showed the highest activity against pancreatic lipase (IC50 = 170.75 µg mL-1). These findings suggest that S. levi metabolites, particularly 1-O-nonacosylglycerol, represent preliminary screening for managing postprandial glucose levels.

The Mediterranean Sea is home to a considerable number of shark species, some of which have posed a threat to humans. The hot waters discharged from the Hadera (Orot Rabin) power plant in northwestern Palestine attract schools of two large coastal shark species: Dusky Sharks (Carcharhinus obscurus Lesueur, 1818) and Sandbar Sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus Nardo, 1827) every year from November to May. On Monday, April 21, 2025, a 45-year-old Israeli diver was fatally attacked by sharks off the Mediterranean coast of Hadera. The present descriptive study aims to shed light on this rare deadly incident. The study relied on collecting the necessary data through monitoring websites, news, and social media platforms. The Mediterranean coast of Hadera is characterized by a fascinating phenomenon that attracts many beachgoers, as they approach the shallow and warm waters dominated by predatory sharks. Several possible reasons for the shark attack on the Israeli diver have been listed, including the diver's attempt to feed the shark dead fish for filming, the smell of bleeding fish the diver may have been carrying on his belt, mistaken identity of the sharks, the shark's ability to detect the diver's subtle electrical impulses, the diver's possible sudden movements, loud noises, and frantic swimming that attracted the sharks, behavioral changes in the sharks due to human harassment, curiosity and confusion of the shark, hunger and starvation the sharks may have been suffering from, etc. The incident received unprecedented media coverage locally, regionally, and internationally, and sparked widespread interaction on social media platforms. Many Arab posts praised the shark for carrying out the attack, amid the fierce, destructive, and bloody war Israel has been waging against the Gazans since October 7, 2023. To prevent this incident from happening again, there is a need to manage the Mediterranean coast of Hadera in a way that is safe for humans and sharks.

Mangroves play an important role in reducing global warming and improving coastal and marine ecosystems. This research assessed the aquatic environment quality in some mangrove communities along Egyptian Red Sea coast compared to no-mangrove areas. In autumn 2021,the study was conducted in four regions: Safaga, Kalwaye, El-Quih, and Wadi El-Quih. The physicochemical parameters of the collected water samples were measured. The results showed that the levels of pH, temperature, turbidity, electric conductivity, salinity, NO2, and PO4 were all within the permissible limits of natural environment and mariculture according to CCME and MMWQS guidelines. They ranged between (7.57 – 8.60) ,(26.32 – 26.63 oC ),(0.31 – 3.20 NTU), (54.98 – 62.54 ms/cm ),(36.41 – 42.09 ppt) , ( 0.90 – 3.65 µg/L ), and (0.12 – 14. 33 µg/L), respectively. Nitrate levels in all locations' water samples were above the permissible limits, which ranged from 67.17 to 83 µg/L. Dissolved oxygen levels were above 5 mg/L in most areas, while in the El-Quih region, it decreased to a value between 2 and 4.35mg/L. Generally, the results indicated that the aquatic environment of mangrove communities in the El-Quih area possesses the lowest water quality compared to other study areas. This is attributed to the low levels of dissolved oxygen and high concentrations of nitrates, salinity, turbidity, and nitrites. The present study highlights the necessity of applying integrated environmental management (IEM) to mangrove communities in El-Quih area and other areas to support the achievement of sustainable development goals in the Red Sea area.

This study investigates the properties and chemistry of surface water in Hurghada and its adjacent areas, with a focus on assessing the potential impact of human activities on water quality by measuring the concentrations of heavy metals in surface water samples. A total of fifty-nine surface water samples were collected and analyzed for various heavy metals, including manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) using the AAS technique. The results indicate that at the Desert Rose Resort transect, the average total concentrations of heavy metals were within the following ranges: Fe (average of 26.96 mu g/L), Cu (average of 0.61 mu g/L), Zn (average of 6.31 mu g/ L), and Pb (average of 0.75 mu g/L). Conversely, at the Abu-Shaar transect, Ni (0.87 mu g/L) and Cd (average of 0.02 mu g/L) were the dominant heavy metals, while Mn exhibited the highest mean value (1.80 mu g/L) at the El-Samaka Village transect. Notably, Hg was not detected in any of the samples within the study areas. Comparative analysis of heavy metal concentrations in Hurghada's surface waters with data from the Red Sea coast and other global regions reveals that the study areas maintain heavy metal concentrations well below the maximum permissible values for the marine environment. These findings suggest that human activities have not significantly impacted heavy metal levels in the region's surface waters. Additionally, statistical assessments, such as correlation coefficients (r), were employed to explore the relationships between heavy metal concentrations in water and sediment. These relationships provide valuable insights into the dynamic balance of elements within the sediment and their potential direct or indirect transfer into the water.

One of the biggest islands in the southern Egyptian Red Sea is Zabargad Island, which is situated 71 km from the coast. With a maximum height of 235 m, the island is mostly of rocky terrain. A diving coral reef surrounds the island. One of the best and biggest areas in Egypt for turtle nesting is on the southern side, where green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) use a sandy beach that is about 2.5 km long as a valuable nesting site. The goal of this study was to monitor green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and find the best place for them to lay their eggs. There were 775 turtle nests observed in total during the ten days of surveying in July 2006, with site C having the most (453 nests) and site E having the least (9 nests). The typical turtle nest measured 105.9 cm in width and 128.2 cm in length. The turtle nest's average distance from the shore was 12.5 m, ranging from 2.5 to 80 m. Site B had the highest average of all the sites (28.5 m), and Site E had the lowest average (6.5 m). There were 57 turtle tracks in total, with site C having the most at 27 and site E having the fewest at 2. The total average length of turtle tracks was 79.4 m, ranging from 70 to 110 m, with site C having the highest average of 117.8 m and site D having the lowest average of 13.5 m.

Abstract. Abd Rabou AFN, El-Kichaoui AY, Radwan ES, Al-Balawi EJ, Abbas AA, Elkahlout KE, Al-Hali DI, Abd Rabou MA, Abd Rabou AA, Jadallah RI, Hussein KA, Abou Auda M, Hammad AAQI, Abd Rabou IA, Abd Rabou OA, Abd Rabou NF, Shafei AA, Fayyad NA, Dardona AW, Dardona ZW, Madkour FA, Madkour HA, Khalaf NA, Al-Agha MR. 2024. Diversity and threats to trees and shrubs in the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in the city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem), Palestine. Biodiversitas 25: 4462-4478. The blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in the city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem), Palestine, which extends over an area of 144,000 square meters, is of great importance to Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims. Despite the many studies that have addressed the various features of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, the vegetation cover has been rarely written about. This current descriptive study aims to enumerate the trees and shrubs that adorn the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque. The study relied on continuous visits, observations, and discussions since 2020. A direct inventory of the trees and shrubs was conducted in terms of species and numbers, and they were classified according to the available guidebooks. Photographs were taken for documentation and verification purposes. The number of trees and shrubs in the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque amounted to 1,042 trees and shrubs. The recorded trees and shrubs consisted of 30 species belonging to 20 families and 14 orders. Gymnosperms included 4 species (13.3%), while angiosperms included 26 species (86.7%). The European Olive (Olea europea L.) was the most widespread species with 550 individuals (52.78%), followed by the Evergreen Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) with 274 individuals (26.29%), and the Aleppo or Jerusalem Pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) with 85 individuals (8.16%). The number of recorded tree species amounted to 20 species (66.7%), while the number of shrub species amounted to 10 species (33.3%). Exotic trees or shrubs constituted 21 species (70.0%), while the rest (30.0%) were native. Threats to the trees and shrubs of Al-Aqsa Mosque included Israeli excavations under Al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards, Israel's use of some toxic and chemical materials to break up the soil and facilitate excavations, cutting down trees and shrubs for Israeli security purposes, burning trees and shrubs due to Israeli military actions, Israel's prevention of replanting or planting trees and shrubs, severe storms and strong winds, and diseases. If conditions permit, it is recommended to plant woody plant species that are compatible with the prevailing environmental and ecological conditions in Palestine, which add splendor to the courtyards of this great historical Islamic place in Palestine.

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) is a well-accepted technique that has the ability to simultaneously determining 30-40 elements. INAA is also capable of determining major, minor, and trace elements as well as rare earth elements. It was utilised to determine the concentration of heavy elements and elemental contents of coral reef samples collected from three locations on the Red Sea coast of Egypt. The coral reef samples were prepared with their standard materials and together irradiated in Egypt Second Research Reactor (ETRR-2). For short and long irradiations, samples were separately irradiated at a convenient thermal neutron flux 4 x 10(11)cm(-2)s(-1) for 2 min in a pneumatic rabbit system and samples were irradiated at a thermal neutron flux 1.5x10(14)cm(-2)s(-1) for 32 mins, respectively. All samples were counted two times in a HPGe detector with a relative efficiency of 100% for short and long irradiations. The following elements have been determined Al, Ti, Na, K, Mg, V, Cl, Ca, Mn, Cr, As, Co, Zn, Ni, Fe, Br, Tb, Zr, Hf, Sb, Ba, Sc, Nd, La, Sm, Ce, Eu, Yb, Ta, U, and Th. In the Quseir harbour, the maximum concentration of Al, Fe, Mn Zn, U, and Th were 3487 +/- 74, 2007 +/- 22, 33 +/- 0.5, 119 +/- 0.5, 4 +/- 0.3, and 0.52 +/- 0.04 mg/kg, respectively. These concentrations were higher for these elements compared to other areas. The present work is concerned to achieve precise information about the elemental content in coral reef samples along the Red Sea coast in specific locations and the effect of detected concentrations on the surrounding environment.

The Mediterranean Sea is home to an interesting biodiversity. The current cumulative and descriptive study aims to enumerate some relatively large marine mammals, reptiles, and fishes that have been spotted, caught, by-caught, or stranded on the coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which extends about 42 km along the Mediterranean Sea. This 20-year study from 2003 to 2022 relied much on frequent field visits, meetings, and discussions with stakeholders, following local media sites and social media pages, and photography. The study recorded at least 26 giants or relatively large marine organisms on the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Certainly, the coming years may bring other marine organisms of relatively large sizes. Marine mammals included three species of cetaceans with the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) being the largest mammal and even the largest animal ever recorded in this study. Marine reptiles included three species of sea turtles, the largest of which is the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which is in fact the world's largest sea turtle. The bony fishes were represented by ten species, the largest of which was the Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), which is the largest bony fish in the world. The cartilaginous fishes included ten species with the largest specimens encountered were the Shortfin Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), and Giant Devil Ray (Mobula mobular). Seabirds were not included in the study. The Alexandria Pompano (Alectis alexandrinus) and the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), which are bony fishes, appear to be the relatively smallest marine organisms recorded here. In conclusion, the role of the various parties must be coordinated to ensure the sustainability of human activities and their compatibility with the task of conserving local marine biota, including the gigantic or relatively large ones.

The present work was conducted to characterize the mangrove sediments along the Egyptian Red Sea in terms of elemental composition and to assess the extent of pollution and its sources. A total of 26 samples of mangrove sediments were collected from three different areas: Sharm El Madfea, Sowmaa Mangrove and Abu Fasi. The samples were analyzed using the inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry ICP-MS and atomic-emission spectrometry ICP-AES. Mass fractions of a total of 58 major and trace elements were determined in the mangrove samples. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to determine the origin of trace and major elements in the mangrove sediments. The normalized values show that the elements above the background can be indicated in descending order as follows: P > Cd > Sr > Ca > U > Se > As > Sn > Cu > Sb > Pb > Mo > Ag. Several pollution indices were also calculated. Principal component analysis revealed three clusters of the studied sediment samples. The analysis of the ratio indicators shows that the origin of the sediments mostly falls near continental island arcs (CIA). The pollution indices show remarkable pollution levels and enriched elements. The data obtained can serve as baseline data for the sediments of the mangrove environment and can be used to study possible changes in the future.

Sediment textural variability and distributions of one hundred sediments samples across three major strategic Harbours, Quseir, Safaga, and Hurghada, along the Northern Red Sea have been assessed. Grain size parameters and cluster analysis have been applied to reveal indices of the marine environment, mainly the energy and hydrodynamic conditions, which controlled the mode of transportation and depositional settings. The three Harbours exhibited shallow marine environment, corresponding to siliclastic terrigenous flux, associated with carbonate sediments, which sustained biogenic fragments nearby reef and mangrove sites. Depositional settings were controlled by bottom topography, sediments sources, water depth, and closeness from shoreline. This was also coupled with the exposure degree to anthropogenic discharges that triggered sediment texture disturbance and impacted seabed habitat of Safaga Harbour. The latter is more affected by contamination than Quseir and Hurghada Harbours as its topography favored the accumulation of contaminants and acted as pollutant-traps. The C-M pattern suggested rolling as the main mode of nearshore sediments transportations across the three Harbours. Suspension transportation was recognized in Quseir Harbour with higher ratio compared with Safaga Harbour, while it was absent in Hurghada Harbour. Nevertheless, the investigated Harbours shared some common features, particularly low-energy hydrodynamic regime corresponding to their semi-isolated locations and arid climatic conditions, which ruled sediments texture and distributions.

Coral reef samples were collected from three areas; Quseir Harbour, Marsa Alam marine, and Quseir area (In-front of reject discharge of desalination plant) at the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Using the HPGe detector with a relative efficiency (100%), the radioactivity levels were determined by direct γ-ray spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations (Bq/kg) for natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in coral reefs collected from the Quseir Harbour, Marsa Alam marine, and Quseir desalination plant were found to be 7.48 ± 0.15, 3.25 ± 0.15, and 21.17 ± 0.51, 11.18 ± 0.13 ± , 7.51 ± 0.15 and 28.35 ± 0.60 and 9.66 ± 0.26, 5.08 ± 0.23, and 18.84 ± 0.88, respectively. In contrast, the corresponding mean values for the radium equivalent activity are 13.76, 24.10, and 18.38 Bq kg−1, respectively. The absorbed dose rate, the annual effective dose equivalent, the external and internal hazard indices, and the radioactivity level index were determined to assess the radiological hazard and risk indices of natural radionuclides. The radiological hazard parameters were much lower than the safety limits.

To assess the environmental quality of Sharm Al-Kharrar lagoon, Red Sea coast, Saudi Arabia, forty-five water samples were collected for nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd) analysis using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. Ni was the most abundant heavy metal (5.76 μg/L), followed by Zn (4.19 μg/L), As (2.07 μg/L), Cu (1.24 μg/L), Pb (0.28 μg/L), Co (0.26 μg/L), Cr (0.26 μg/L), and Cd (0.06 μg/L). Seawater analysis indicated higher average values of the heavy metals Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, and As in comparison with the average oceanic concentration and those values recorded from Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, and Mediterranean Sea. The higher average values of metals in seawater may be attributed to atmospheric input or anthropogenic sources, like electric power and water supply plants, Aramco company refinery, and Aramco residential area, which distributed along the lagoon.

The current research aims to understanding the abundance and distribution of seagrass communities in Northern protected Islands in order to support decision-makers in the management of the natural resource, in particular the bed of seagrass in northern protected areas. During winter 2017, eight Northern protected Islands were surveyed using diving and snorkeling (Tawila Island, Ashrafi Island, Ghanim Island, Small Gubal Island, North Um ElHimat Island, South Um Elhimat Island, North Geisum Island and South Geisum Island). Three species of seagrass, Thalassodendron ciliatum, Halophila stipulacea, and Halodule uninervis, were recorded. The result revealed that, in all Islands Thalassodendron ciliatum was the highest seagrass species abundance with mean coverage of 61%. The results showed that the mean coverage of the other two species were Halophila stipulacea 43% and Halodule uninervis 42%. There is no seagrass species were recorded in two Islands, Small Gubal and south Um ElHimat. Ashrafi Island was the highest abundance of seagrass with mean coverage of 59 % and the lowest was in Ghanim Island with mean coverage of 23%. Sea cucumber in Northern protected Island was represented only by one species Holothoria area with very low abundance (8 Individuals/ 750 m2). The distribution of seagrass in northern Island was mapped using the GIS.

The genus Padina, commonly called sea fan ribbon weeds, belongs to the family Dictyotaceae. It is considered a sea vegetable and is of nutritional interest owing to its low-calories. Therapeutic potentials of certain compounds isolated from some Padina species have promising hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and immunostimulatory activities. This review covers the chemistry and pharmacological potential of members of genus Padina from 1989 to 2020, including their mechanism of action whenever applicable.

The Genus Turbinaria is still chemically and pharmacologically underexplored. These brown algae belong to the family Sargassaceae. Therapeutic potentials of pure compounds isolated from the Genus Turbinaria are extraordinarily promising as antiproliferative, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory immunostimulatory, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, antiviral, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic. Those activities are represented by diverse classes of compounds including sterols, amino acids, fatty acids, alcohols, halocarbons, hydrocarbons, carbohydrates, esters and cyclic tetrapyrrole compounds. This review focuses on the Genus Turbinaria during the period 1972 to 2019.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most significant deposits of marine biodiversity. These marine resources, particularly coral reefs, have gained tourist interest in a way that tourist activities are predominant along the Egyptian Red Sea coasts. Thus, tourism has developed considerably in recent years, making a major contribution to the Egyptian ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article History: Received: Jan. 19, 2021 Accepted: Feb. 5, 2021 Online: Feb. 17, 2021 _______________